Air Fryer Apple Fritters Recipe

A close up view of air fryer apple fritters on a cooling rack.

Air Fryer Apple Fritters Recipe

These easy Air Fryer Apple Fritters are packed with fresh apples and finished with a sweet, buttery glaze. Easy, fast, and delicious!

Course Breakfast, Dessert

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 15

Total Time 25

Servings fritters

Calories 175kcal

Author John Kanell

Equipment

6-qt air fryer (basket)
Parchment paper
Nonstick spray

Ingredients

For the Apple Fritters:

1½ cups all-purpose flour (180g)
¼ cup granulated sugar (50g)
2 teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
⅓ cup whole milk (80ml)
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 teaspoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
2 medium apples peeled, cored, and diced (2¾ cups/335g diced)

For the Glaze:

1 cup powdered sugar (120g)
3 tablespoons whole milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon unsalted butter melted

Instructions

For the Apple Fritters:

In a large bowl, whisk to combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon.
In a small mixing bowl, whisk to combine the milk, eggs, vanilla extract, and lemon juice.
Make a well in the dry ingredients and pour in the wet ingredients. Add the butter, then stir to combine until no dry streaks of flour remain. Fold in the apples, stirring just until combined.
If necessary, preheat your air fryer to 375°F. Line the basket of an air fryer with parchment paper and spray it with nonstick spray.
Scoop 4, leveled, ¼ cup portions onto the parchment paper in the air fryer basket.
Air fry at 375°F for 8 minutes. Flip onto the other side and cook for an additional 3 minutes to finish cooking the bottoms and centers through. Transfer the fritters to a wire rack set over a sheet tray to cool. Repeat with the remaining batter in batches. Let them cool slightly.

For the Glaze:

In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until very smooth. Whisk in the butter.
Dip the tops of the fritters in the glaze, coating the sides. Return the fritters top side up to the wire rack. Serve immediately.

Notes

Preheat the air fryer. If your air fryer model allows and recommends it, preheat it before starting the recipe. This ensures even cooking and helps the fritters start crisping up as soon as they hit the basket.
Add extra flavorings or spices. For an extra fall-flavored kick, add ¼ teaspoon of ground nutmeg, cardamom, or ginger to the dry ingredients. You can also enhance the flavor of the glaze by adding ½ teaspoon of cinnamon and two teaspoons of maple syrup, swapping the vanilla extract for vanilla bean paste, or substituting one tablespoon of milk with lemon juice, spiced rum, or bourbon.
Avoid overmixing the batter. Mix the fritter batter until just combined, as overmixing can lead to a dense texture–rather than light and fluffy. The batter should still be slightly lumpy with bits of apple throughout.
Don’t crowd the air fryer. Place the fritter dough in a single layer in the air fryer basket, at least ½” apart, so they have ample space to expand and puff up. A 6-quart air fryer basket will hold four fritters at a time, cooking in at least three batches. Larger baskets should be able to accommodate more fritters per batch.
Line air fryer basket. Be sure to line the air fryer with a piece of parchment paper. Generously spray it with cooking spray to prevent the dough from sticking and make cleanup easier. Cut the paper to fit the basket to prevent obstruction of airflow.
Alternative garnish. If you prefer to skip the glaze, coat the fritters with cinnamon sugar fresh out of the air fryer for a delicious apple cinnamon flavor.

Nutrition